Borkowski, Mary K., (1916-2008)

Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series: The cassettes have been digitized and are available to be listened to upon request. Full transcripts were created when the tapes were digitized and are also available upon request. This database contains short summaries of each recording in this series. To find these descriptions, navigate to the name of the artist (they are listed alphabetically), and click on the "digital materials" tab at the bottom of the page. Click on the name of the recording you would like to view. You...

Scope and Contents From the Series: This series contains primarily photographs, negatives, and slides, as well as some written research material related to folk artists. The Rosenaks visited many of these artists, and photographed them in their homes and studios, with their artwork and sometimes their families. The Rosenaks used these photographs as research material for their books Museum of American Folk Art Encyclopedia of Twentieth-Century American Folk Art and Artists (New York: Abbeville,...

Abstract This collection primarily comprises letters written by self-taught artist Mary K. Borkowski to Jacqueline Loewe Fowler, former trustee of the American Folk Art Museum (AFAM), in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In her letters, Borkowski updates Fowler on events in her work and life, from the status of the pieces she is working on, to career achievements, to personal challenges. The letters are beautifully candid. Borkowski clearly held Fowler in high esteem, not only as a customer and...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: Like the “Topical Subject” files, the “People” files have two constituent parts, one deriving from materials donated to the library by Dr. Bishop, the other originating in the library and developed by Edith Wise during the last few years [c. 1988]. Both consist of folders devoted to individual persons but, whereas the “Wise” files are concerned wholly with prominent folk artists past and present, the “Bishop” segment is wide-ranging in coverage: a significant portion relates to contemporary...